Technology development for nickel x-ray optics enhancement

We are developing grazing-incidence x-ray optics for high-energy astrophysics using an electroform-nickel process in which mirror shells are formed by replication off super-polished cylindrical mandrels. The optics so fabricated have a demonstrated performance at the level of 11-12 arc seconds resolution (HPD) for 30 keV x rays. Future missions, however, demand ever higher angular resolutions and this places stringent requirements on all aspects of the process -- the mandrels, the shell fabrication, and the mounting and alignment of the resulting mirrors in their housings. A progress report on recent technology developments in these areas is given, including a discussion on possible post fabrication improvements in the x-ray mirrors' quality.